David Rollo
David Rollo (1820-1890) of David Rollo and Sons, Fulton Engine Works, 10 Fulton Street, Liverpool.
Victoria Engine Works, Sandon Dock, Liverpool.
1890 Obituary [1]
DAVID ROLLO was born in Glasgow on 25th November 1820.
He commenced his business life there as a draughtsman in the marine engine works of Messrs. J. and G. Thompson, Clydebank, of which he subsequently became manager.
He remained in Glasgow until 1854, when he went to Liverpool to take the post of manager to Messrs. James Jack and Co., whom he afterwards joined as partner in the firm of Messrs. Jack, Rollo and Co. That was a period of great importance in marine engineering, for the transition from wooden to iron ships and from paddle wheels to screw propellers was then in progress; and his firm took a leading position in the development of improvements.
In 1877 he retired from this partnership, and founded with his two sons the Fulton Engine Works, Liverpool, under the firm of Messrs. David Rollo and Sons. Many of the fine steamers now afloat have been engined under his direction, and are examples of his good work.
He died on 28th May 1890, at the age of sixty-nine.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1871.